Why Community‑Led Companies Win in the Age of AI

From Multi‑Millionaire to Zero How Glenn Poulos Rebuilt After a Failed Exit

From multi‑millionaire to zero – and back again. In this episode of the Alex Marxs Podcast, entrepreneur and sales leader Glenn Poulos shares how he built three B2B distribution companies, sold two of them for eight‑figure exits, lost everything on paper after one deal went wrong, and still found the drive to start over in a new country and a new industry. Glenn tells the full story behind his first telecom company MMWave, the public‑company acquisition that made him a multimillionaire overnight, and how that “dream exit” turned into a nightmare when the new owners maxed out credit lines, emptied the bank accounts, bankrupted the business and eventually sent their CEO to prison for fraud—leaving Glenn with nothing. He explains what it feels like to watch 15 years of work and your life savings disappear, and why fear of being broke pushed him to incorporate Gap Wireless less than a week after the bankruptcy. You’ll hear how he grew Gap Wireless from a 1M first year to 84M in revenue, rode the 2G–5G infrastructure waves, and survived a near‑death 1.4M loss in a side division that forced him to cut from 80 people to 29 in one morning. Glenn breaks down the tough calls behind that restructuring, how it led to record profits and a second eight‑figure sale, and why focusing back on core strengths saved the company. Alex and Glenn also dig into the philosophy behind his book “Never Sit in the Lobby”: practical sales rules like always having “something in your hand and something in your mind,” getting behind the lobby door for mini‑tours, and being “a pleasure to do business with.” They talk about growing up in a family of entrepreneurs, learning sales by serving customers in a Niagara Falls motel and a jewellery store, and why Glenn believes showing up every single day is the brutal, unsexy truth behind scaling any business. In a world obsessed with scripts, funnels and AI, Glenn makes the case that people still buy from people. He explains why most automated outreach gets deleted, how he uses AI only to find more at‑bats (not replace human connection), and why he now hires salespeople with deep field pedigree and real relationships in the utility market. He also shares why, after two exits, he moved from Toronto to Orlando, bought Prog USA in the power generation and distribution industry, and is choosing to build again in his 60s instead of retiring to the golf course. If you’re a founder, sales leader or aspiring entrepreneur, this conversation is packed with real‑world lessons on exits, resilience, fear, greed‑based learning, and making lane changes when it would be easier to stay comfortable. Listen if you’re interested in: * Building and selling B2B companies * Handling a failed exit and starting over * Sales mindset, rapport and human connection * Restructuring, layoffs and saving a business * Using AI in sales without losing the human edge Connect with me: Alex Marxs [https://www.instagram.com/alexmarxs/] Connect with Glenn: Glenn Poulos [https://www.linkedin.com/in/glennpoulos/] Buy Glenn's Book: Never sit in the lobby [https://amzn.eu/d/0jgoniwr]

Why Community‑Led Companies Win in the Age of AI

Community is not a “nice to have” – it’s your trust infrastructure. In this episode of the Alex Marxs Podcast, community‑first strategist and author Chris Catania breaks down what community‑led leadership really looks like after 20+ years building customer and employee communities for brands. We talk about the shift from traditional, top‑down leadership to community‑first companies, why trust is the single word that separates the two, and how community can turn into a real business moat in an era of loneliness and low customer loyalty. Chris shares stories from companies like LEGO, Canva and Sephora, and explains how to start small: diagnosing leadership mindset, choosing one high‑impact use case (growth, support, product or culture), and proving ROI without “microwaving” community. We also dive into AI and community – how large language models are already learning from your communities, how AI can help you extract customer insight at scale, and why leaders who lean on AI without building trust and relationships may find their companies exposed. If you’re a founder, entrepreneur, community manager or people leader who cares about brand, trust, customer loyalty, hybrid culture and the future of leadership in the AI era, this conversation is for you. 📕 Chris’s book “Community First Advantage” is available on Amazon - Check it out [https://www.amazon.co.uk/Community-First-Advantage-Leaders-Community-Changing-ebook/dp/B0FZ5M62MD] 🔗 Connect with Chris at chriscatania.co [http://chriscatania.co/] - Linkedin [https://www.linkedin.com/in/christophercatania/] - Website [https://chriscatania.co/]

Your Clothes Are Full of Toxins — CEO Lacey Cadieux on Building Rhubaia

Most people never stop to think about what their clothes are actually made of. Lacey Cadieux did — and what she found sent her down a rabbit hole that changed everything. In this episode, Lacey joins me to share how she went from zero fashion experience to founding Rhubaia — a sustainable, non-toxic professional clothing brand and app launching in Canada. It started with her husband, a career firefighter, who began avoiding toxic fabrics to reduce his exposure to workplace carcinogens. That conversation led Lacey to start investigating microplastics, chemical coatings, and fire retardants in everyday clothing — and she couldn't unsee what she found. When she went looking for clean, professional clothing that actually looked good? It didn't exist. So she decided to build it herself. We talk about: → The toxins hiding in your everyday professional wardrobe → Microplastics and what they're doing to your skin → Why sustainable professional fashion is nearly impossible to find → How she started a fashion brand with zero industry experience → The app that lets people share and explore their wardrobes → What it really takes to launch a brand from scratch This is one of those conversations that will make you look at your wardrobe completely differently. Follow Lacey and Rhubaia: Rhubaia's Website [https://rhubaia.com] Rhubaia's Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/rhubaia/] Connect with me: 📩 contact@alexmarxs.com 🌐 alexmarxs.com 📱 @alexmarxs on Instagram & LinkedIn If this episode made you think, share it with one person who needs to hear it.

Live Streaming & Live Shopping: How Brands Turn Viewers into Buyers w/ John Petrocelli

Live streaming and live shopping are exploding, but most brands still treat them like TV on the internet. In this episode, I talk with John Petrocelli, CEO and founder of Bulldog DM, about how the world’s biggest events and platforms use live video and live commerce to turn viewers into participants and buyers. We cover Coachella, the Grammys, Netflix, TikTok Shop, e‑commerce conversion rates, and a practical live‑shopping playbook for small brands. If you’re a founder, CEO, marketer, or creator who wants to use live streaming and live commerce to actually drive sales, this one is for you. * Connect with John Petrocelli - Click Here [https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnpetrocelli/] * Learn more about Bulldog DM [https://bulldogdm.com] * Connect with Alex / apply to be a guest - My Links [https://lnk.bio/alexmarxs?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio&fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQMMjU2MjgxMDQwNTU4AAGnxKMaTEcW5OBuyazGJWehRq6kE8_DMwmKelEa-mFAh7FoiaF4DhZQ3cjlc5c_aem_do-KKIc8UJ2UZOzzIQYSrQ] * Follow the show on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@alexmarxstv] * Follow the show on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/alexmarxs/]

#08 Nutrição Comportamental: O Caminho Para Mudar Seus Hábitos

🎙️Neste episódio transformador do podcast, recebo o nutricionista Leonan Hernandes, especialista renomado em emagrecimento comportamental e nutrição consciente. Em uma conversa esclarecedora e profunda, Leonan revela estratégias práticas e comprovadas para alcançar resultados sustentáveis através de mudanças comportamentais e de hábitos alimentares. 👉🏾Exploramos como uma abordagem consciente pode transformar sua relação com a comida, proporcionando emagrecimento saudável sem sofrimento ou restrições drásticas. Leonan também aborda como aspectos emocionais e mentais impactam diretamente o processo de emagrecimento, destacando a importância do bem-estar mental e emocional nesse caminho. 🚨Desmistificamos crenças e mitos comuns sobre dietas, alimentos e nutrição, esclarecendo o que realmente funciona para uma perda de peso duradoura. Este episódio é um guia indispensável para todos que desejam emagrecer com equilíbrio, saúde mental preservada e resultados que realmente durem. 💡Tópicos Abordados:- Como emagrecer sem sofrimento e com resultados duradouros;- A influência dos hábitos e da mente no processo de emagrecimento;- Técnicas comportamentais para melhorar a alimentação diária;- Desconstrução de mitos nutricionais comuns. 🔗 Links Importantes: Instagram Leonan Hernandes [https://www.instagram.com/leonanhernandes.nutri/] Consultas e Programas com Leonan [wa.me/message/5PCMINBVA36VK1] Instagram Alex Marxs [https://www.instagram.com/alexmarxs/]